Adding custom pages is one of the key ways to transform your basic WordPress site into a fully-functional site tailored to your needs. But what‘s the difference between pages and posts, and how exactly do you create new pages within WordPress?
In this beginner‘s guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know, with step-by-step instructions.
Pages vs Posts – What‘s the Difference?
Before we dive in, it‘s important to understand the difference between pages and posts in WordPress:
- Pages – For static, timeless content like an About page. Don‘t belong to a blog.
- Posts – For blog content, news updates, etc. Displayed in reverse chronological order.
The good news is that you create both pages and posts the same way in the WordPress admin area. But they serve different purposes on your site.
Pages are used for key site sections that don‘t really change over time, while blog posts are dynamic content displayed in a blog roll.
When Should You Use Custom Pages?
Here are some of the most common uses for WordPress pages:
- Important site sections like About Us, Contact, Services, etc.
- Key landing pages and lead capture pages.
- Pages for showcasing certain types of content – a portfolio page, product pages, testimonial page, etc.
Really, you can use WordPress pages to add any kind of static content to your site. They help you move beyond just the blog.
Step-By-Step: How to Add a New Page in WordPress
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Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and hover over Pages in the left menu. Then click Add New.
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Add a descriptive Page Title at the top. Something like "About Us" works well.
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Start adding content blocks using the Gutenberg editor. Click the + icon to add blocks like text, images, buttons, etc.
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Click Publish (or Save Draft if you want to come back later).
And that‘s it! Just a few simple steps to create a brand new page on your WordPress site.
Let‘s look at a few key tips for customizing your page‘s elements further:
Customizing Your WordPress Pages
Beyond just adding basic text and images, there‘s a lot you can do to tailor your page:
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Choosing Page Templates – Many themes include custom layouts and designs to pick from.
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Using Page Builders – For more design freedom, try Elementor or Beaver Builder.
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Hiding Page Title – Don‘t like the automatic page title? Many themes let you disable it.
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Fullwidth Layout – Display page content edge to edge by removing sidebars.
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Adding Meta Descriptions – Improve SEO and clicks with a compelling description.
We‘ve only scratched the surface of customizing pages here. The key is leveraging your theme‘s options and page builder plugins if needed.
Extra Tips for WordPress Page Success
Here are a few closing tips:
- Focus on SEO optimization with target keywords, meta data, etc.
- Design pages to maximize conversions – email opt-ins, downloads, purchases etc.
- Create maintenance plans for updating pages as needed over time.
- Try adding testimonial pages, pricing pages, lead magnet pages, and more!
We hope this beginner‘s guide has helped explain exactly how to add simple yet highly customized pages on your WordPress site. Now dive in and start building!
